Easter, 5th Sunday (A) How can every vocation be special? Each rock that makes up St. Hyacinth Church is a unique shape, size, and color. The whole church is built of unique, unrepeatable stones. Every stone is special! In a similar way, each and every person has a special vocation.

These vocations all have something in common. Every Christian shares in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, which means we offer sacrifice, sanctify the world, and connect heaven and earth. You bring the offering of your life to the altar, I offer it to God, receive Jesus, and give Jesus back to you. Then bring Jesus out with you into the world.

The one big obstacle to all our vocations is egoism, that is, believing that my life is all about me. It prevents me from accepting the shape that God has created me to be and from giving myself away.

How do you find your vocation? Practice listening to the voice of God today. Learn to live with Jesus and for Jesus each and every day. If you are really living your Christian life well, whoever has seen you has seen Jesus.

(3 May 2026)

Going Deeper: Pray to be freed from egoism, so that you can live each day with Jesus and for Jesus.

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Easter, 4th Sunday (A) Happy Good Shepherd Sunday, which could have also been called "Sheep Gate Sunday." Today is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. I think we often associate the word "vocation" with recruiting people to be priests and nuns. But the first vocation, the first "call" we receive, is the call of Baptism.

I was recently listening to a podcast on the idea that Judaism is about love. Mr. Shai Held says that love is an orientation, that is, a choice to engage the world with a particular stance or attitude. Through Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion, every Christian is called to love God and incarnate God's love in our attitude towards others. Our Baptism is a call to a life of self-giving love. Through Baptism, I learn to lay down my life for others.

All the secondary vocations are calls to particular ways of self-giving love. Marriage is the call to give yourself to your spouse. Single people can serve others in their family and community. Religious life is a call to self-giving love in and through a community. Priesthood is a call to self-giving love after the model of the Good Shepherd. Each of us is called to that stance, posture, or orientation of self-giving love after the model of Jesus Christ. Are you following the call?

(26 Apr 2026)

Going Deeper: How would you describe in your own words what the stance, posture, or orientation of self-giving love means? In what ways are you living this well, and where do you need to improve?

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Easter, 3rd Sunday • The Road to Emmaus is one of my favorite stories. It's possible that a married couple, Cleopas and his wife, are walking together. They are feeling discouraged and have been walking away from the church. Seeing Jesus in the Eucharist causes them to come back to the church.

Do you want to see the risen Jesus? Then follow these three steps from today's Gospel:

1. Be really honest with Jesus. Put your burdens in front of him.
2. Receive what Jesus wants to say to you. Are you making time each day to read the Word of God?
3. Invite Jesus deeper into your life.

When we realize the Risen Jesus really is walking with us, we can say, as St. Peter does: I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.... You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.

(19 Apr 2026)

Going Deeper: How is the Holy Spirit calling you to invite Jesus more deeply into your life?

DUCCIO di Buoninsegna, Road to Emmaus (scene 26) 1308-11 Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena | Thank you to those who come to our services in person. | Over 15 years of homily episodes available at PilgrimPriest.us/podcast | Like, subscribe, and share us with your enemies. | Find me on Facebook | Powered by Patrons | give through PayPal or leave a nice review on your favorite podcast platform.